Emissions warning: calls to stop ‘skyrocketing’ land clearing in NSW

Of all land clearing in NSW around 75% is considered unexplained, meaning it either did not require a permit or was unlawful. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Land clearing in NSW continues to exceed the long-term average, with more than 50,000 hectares of vegetation cleared for farming, forestry and infrastructure in 2020.

The NSW opposition has described the situation as unsustainable. The shadow minister for the environment, Penny Sharpe, promised Labor would use a statutory review of native vegetation laws to consider what would be necessary to stop “skyrocketing” clearing, if elected in March.